JP3506140B2 - Automatic toll collection system for toll roads and its on-board equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic toll collection system for automatically collecting a toll road usage charge by communicating with a vehicle passing through the toll road, and an in-vehicle device used for the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of automatic toll collection systems have been proposed which allow unmanned gates at toll gates installed at entrances and exits of toll roads, make cash payment for toll roads, and allow non-stop toll gates to pass through. There is.

For example, in the automatic toll collection system disclosed in JP-A-7-14043 or JP-A-8-16977, road machines are installed at check barriers such as entrances and exits and branch points of toll roads. The vehicle is equipped with an in-vehicle device that enables wireless communication with the on-road device.
By communicating between them, the usage fee is automatically collected from a card-type storage medium such as an IC card that is detachably attached to the vehicle-mounted device. That is, at the entrance, identification information of the entrance gate, roadside information such as the date and time of passage, etc. is transmitted from the roadside machine to the passing vehicle and stored in the memory of the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle. Then, at the exit, the identification information of the entrance gate or the check barrier stored in the memory of the vehicle-mounted device of the passing vehicle and the vehicle-side information such as the vehicle type of the vehicle are transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device to the roadside device. The on-road machine calculates the usage fee by obtaining the route from the entrance to the exit, and collects the fee from the IC card mounted on the vehicle-mounted machine by a prepaid method, a deposit method, a credit method, or the like. As a result, the information about the payment of the usage fee such as the balance information and the payment history information stored in the IC card is rewritten.

[0004]

In the automatic fee collection system of the type in which the IC card is mounted and used as described above, the same IC card is used for purposes other than automatic fee collection.
For example, it may be possible to use it for shopping in a service area of a toll road. In this way, the IC card is used after being removed from the vehicle-mounted device, but it may happen that the user forgets to mount the IC card on the vehicle-mounted device after such use, which causes the following problems.

That is, at the time of communication between the on-vehicle device and the on-road device at the exit, since the IC card is not mounted on the in-vehicle device,
Since the payment conditions such as the balance information necessary for collecting the charges are unknown, it becomes impossible to automatically collect the charges. In this case, the user cannot pass through the exit gate as it is, and is guided to the toll gate where there is a collector, and stops there to temporarily settle the charge.

However, since the traveling route information such as information for identifying the entrance gate of the toll road required for the fare calculation is stored in the memory of the vehicle-mounted device, the fare collector receives the user for the fare calculation. It becomes necessary to read the travel route of the vehicle from the vehicle-mounted device. Therefore, it is necessary to install a reading device having a function similar to that of a roadside machine at a toll gate (settlement gate) where a toll collector exists, which prevents the automatic toll collection system from being simplified.

According to the present invention, even if a card-type recording information medium required for toll collection passes through a roadside machine at an exit with the card-type recording information medium removed from the vehicle-mounted machine, the fee collection by the toll collector is made on the roadside machine. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic toll collection system that can be performed by a simple device without using a computer, and an in-vehicle device thereof.

[0008]

The present invention communicates with a road machine installed at least at an entrance and an exit of a toll road,
Transmitted from a roadside device in an in-vehicle device of an automatic fee collection system that automatically collects usage fees based on the receipt information regarding fee payment recorded in a detachably mounted card type storage medium It is characterized by further comprising means for transferring the roadside information to the card type storage medium for storage.

That is, the card-type storage medium stores roadside information such as identification information of an entrance gate for determining a travel route required for toll collection. In general, information stored in a card type storage medium can be read by a simple reader. Therefore, by installing a card-type storage medium reader at the toll booth where the collector is located, the collector can read the identification information of the entrance gate, etc., necessary for collecting the charge from the card-type storage medium, and calculate the usage charge. At the same time, the usage fee can be collected according to the information regarding the fee payment recorded in the card type storage medium.

Specifically, the on-vehicle device communicates with a roadside device installed at at least an entrance and an exit of the toll road, a memory, a control means, and a card type memory for storing vehicle side information. A medium is detachably mountable and configured to have an interface capable of transmitting information to and from a card-type storage medium, and receives roadside information transmitted from a roadside machine by the control means via the communication means. The vehicle side information stored in the card type storage medium and read out and transmit it to the roadside device via the communication means, and transfer the roadside information stored in the memory to the card type storage medium. Then, it is configured to be stored.

Further, the vehicle-mounted device is provided with means for detecting the mounting of the card type storage medium, and when the mounting of the card type storage medium is detected by this means, the roadside information is stored in the card type storage medium by the control means. Is determined,
When the roadside information is stored, the roadside information can be read and stored in the memory. According to this, whether the card type storage medium is newly installed,
Alternatively, it can be determined whether it has been removed and then reattached in the service area, etc., and the roadside information stored in the memory of the vehicle-mounted device can be matched with the roadside information stored in the card-type storage medium. The malfunction of can be prevented.

Further, it is desirable that the control means of the vehicle-mounted device erases or discards the roadside information stored in the card type storage medium after the toll collection process by the roadside device installed at the exit is completed. According to this, it is possible to prevent fraudulent use of the roadside information stored in the card-type storage medium.

In the automatic toll collection system of the present invention, the in-vehicle device is constructed as described above, and a reading device for reading the roadside information stored in the card type storage medium is installed at the tollgate or the clearinghouse where the toll collector is present. It can be realized by doing.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle side of this embodiment. In FIG. 1, an in-vehicle device 1
Is an antenna 1 for communicating with a road device (not shown).
01 and the road-vehicle communication device 10 connected to the antenna 101.
2 and a main controller 1 connected to the road-vehicle communication device 102
03 and the main memory 10 connected to the main controller 103.
4 and the IC card interface 105, and is fixedly mounted on the vehicle body. Road-to-vehicle communication device 1
02 has a function of communicating with a roadside device, generates a signal to be transmitted to the roadside device based on a command from the main controller 103, modulates the signal, and transmits the modulated signal via the antenna 101. Main controller 1 that receives and demodulates the signal from the machine
Sent to 03. The main memory 104 stores roadside information and the like received via the road-vehicle communication device 102 in response to a command from the main controller 103. IC card interface 1
05 is formed so that the IC card 2 can be detachably attached,
Signals are exchanged with the IC card 2 according to a command from the main controller 103. The main controller 103 includes a road-vehicle communication device 102, a main memory 104, and an IC card interface 105.
To control.

On the other hand, the IC card 2 comprises an IC card interface 201, a card controller 202, a temporary storage memory 203, a receipt information memory 204, and an identification information memory 205. IC card 2
The IC card interface 201 and the I of the in-vehicle device 1 are formed so as to be detachably attached to the in-vehicle device 1.
In-vehicle device 1 via C card interface 105
Signals can be sent and received between and. Similarly, I
It is possible to send and receive signals to and from other devices connected to the C card interface 201. Card controller 20
Reference numeral 2 denotes a signal transmission / reception operation between the IC card 2 and another device such as the vehicle-mounted device 1, and writing / reading to / from the temporary storage memory 203, the receipt information memory 204, and the identification information memory 205. Control movements. The memory 203 for temporary storage temporarily stores roadside information and the like received by the roadside-vehicle communication device 102 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 and transmitted from the roadside device such as an entrance, a check barrier, or an exit of the toll road.
The receipt information memory 204 stores numerical data that is financial information such as a balance and information corresponding to a usage statement.
The identification information memory 205 includes the IC card 2 and the vehicle-mounted device 1.
The ID information for identifying the password, the personal identification number for security, and the like are stored. These memories of the IC card 2 may be mounted as semiconductor memories on the IC card 2 for each individual memory, or may be allocated as a memory area or a file in one semiconductor memory. Also, IC
As a fee collection system for the card 2, a prepaid system, a deposit system, a credit system or the like can be applied.

Next, the operation will be described. When the vehicle-mounted device 1 receives a transmission signal from a roadside device provided at a check barrier such as an entrance or an exit of a toll road or a branch point or a boarding point, the antenna 101 receives the transmission signal and the roadside-vehicle communication device 102 receives the signal. Forward. Road-to-vehicle communication device 10
In 2, the received signal from the antenna 101 is demodulated, and the roadside information such as the ID information (identification information) of the tollgate and the passage date and time is transferred to the main controller 103.

The main controller 103 includes a road-vehicle communication device 102.
The roadside information transferred from the main memory 104 is stored in the main memory 104, and the types of toll gates such as entrances, exits and check barriers are determined from the contents of the roadside information, and the information to be transmitted to the roadside device is determined if necessary. Then, it is transferred to the road-to-vehicle communication device 102. Further, the main controller 103 transfers control commands for reading information from the IC card 2 connected to the IC card interface 105 and writing information held in the main memory 104, and the IC card interface 105. Data transfer control with the main memory 104 is performed. For example, the main controller 103 communicates with the roadside machine at the entrance by using vehicle-side information such as ID information for identifying the vehicle-mounted apparatus 1 from the identification information memory 205, vehicle type information, user information, and fee collection information. Is read out and transmitted to the roadside device via the road-vehicle communication device 102. That is, the road-vehicle communication device 102
Modulates data such as user information transferred from the main controller 103 as a transmission signal and supplies it to the antenna 101. This transmission signal is transmitted from the antenna 101 to the roadside device.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of processing performed by the vehicle-mounted device 1 of this embodiment using the IC card 2. 2 (1) shows a processing operation when the IC card 2 is mounted on the vehicle-mounted device 1, and FIG. 2 (2) shows a vehicle having the vehicle-mounted device 1 passing through a toll road entrance or a check barrier. 2 shows the processing operation at the time of carrying out, and (3) of FIG. 2 shows the operation operation when this vehicle passes through the exit of the toll road.

As shown in FIG. 2 (1), when the IC card 2 is mounted on the vehicle-mounted device 1, the main controller 103 senses that the IC card 2 is mounted via the IC card interface 105, Initialization such as discarding at least the roadside information data stored in the memory 104 is performed (step S1). Next, the data is read from the temporary storage memory 203 of the IC card 2 via the IC card interface 105, the IC card interface 201, and the card controller 202, and it is determined whether or not the roadside information is stored (step S2). . If roadside information is stored in this determination, the read data is stored in the roadside information storage area of the main memory 104 (step S3). On the other hand, when the roadside information is not stored, the processing when the card is attached is ended.

As shown in FIG. 2 (2), the vehicle is at the entrance,
When passing through the check barrier, road-to-vehicle communication processing is started between the entrance and a roadside device installed in the check barrier. In this process, at least roadside information including information such as a tollgate ID and passage date and time sent from the roadside device is stored in the main memory 104, and vehicle information including an identification ID of the vehicle-mounted device 1 is transmitted (step S1
1). After the communication is completed, the main controller 103 displays the main memory 104.
Temporarily stores the roadside information in the IC card 2 in the memory 2
03 and saves (step S12).

When passing through some check barriers after passing through the entrance, all roadside information communicated up to the exit is held in the main memory 104, and
A memory 20 for temporary storage is stored each time communication with each roadside device is completed.
3 also stores these roadside information.

As shown in FIG. 2 (3), when the vehicle passes through the exit, the road-vehicle communication processing is started with the roadside machine installed at the exit. In this processing, at least the roadside information including information such as a tollgate ID sent from the roadside machine, passing date and time, and a charge is stored in the main memory 104, and the identification ID of the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the roadside held in the main memory 104 are stored. Vehicle information including information is transmitted, and the fee is collected from the received fee information (step S21). In addition, the roadside information stored in the temporary storage memory 203,
The roadside information held in the main memory 104 is discarded after the toll collection is completed by roadside-vehicle communication at the exit (step S22), and the main memory 104 is initialized (step S23).

Next, the charge settlement apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The toll adjusting device is a reader installed at the gate of the toll collector at the exit of the toll road.
In FIG. 3, a fee clearing device 3 for clearing a usage fee from the IC card 2 is mounted with the IC card 2
IC card interface 3 for communicating information with
01, a collection operator console 302 operated by the collection operator to collect a fee, an input from the IC card interface 301 and the collection operator console 302 to calculate a toll and access the IC card 2. The signal for writing the fee collection and receipt details to the IC card 2
It is composed of a controller 303 for outputting via the C-card interface 301 and a display 304 such as a CRT for receiving a display signal from the controller 303 and displaying the charge details and the like.

Next, an example of the processing of the fee clearing device 3 is shown in FIG.
The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
If the vehicle cannot collect the toll by roadside-to-vehicle communication at the exit because the IC card 2 is removed from the vehicle-mounted device 1 between the time when the vehicle passes through the toll road entrance and the time when it exits the exit. You will be guided to a manned toll gate with staff. Then, the user hands the IC card 2 to the toll collector, and the tollee attaches the received IC card 2 to the fee clearing device 3, and
Connect to the C card interface 301.

Charge clearing device 3 with IC card 2 installed
Reads the roadside information from the temporary storage memory 203 of the IC card 2 via the IC card interface 301 (step S31) and transfers it to the controller 303. The controller 303 automatically calculates the fare from the read roadside information (step S32), and displays the read roadside information and the amount to be charged on the display 304. The collector is an indicator 304
Notify the user of the billing amount read from. If the user wishes to make an electronic payment, the I installed in the charge clearing device 3
When the operation for deducting the required amount of money from the C card 2 is performed on the receipt operator console 302, whereby the charge is automatically deducted from the IC card 2 via the IC card interface 301, and cash settlement is desired. The cashier receives cash (steps S33 to S35). Next, the receipt operator console 302 is used to create a statement, and as a result, the IC
In the collection information memory 204 of the card 2, the usage statement information in which the date, the entrance toll gate name, the exit toll gate name, the usage amount and the like are described is registered, and the fee collection is completed (step S3).
6). In addition, the charge adjustment device 3 is
The roadside information written in the temporary storage memory 203 of the card 2 is discarded (step S37).

According to the present embodiment, even if the vehicle tries to pass through the exit with the IC card 2 removed from the vehicle-mounted device 1 after the vehicle has passed through the toll road entrance and before exiting the exit, The roadside information sent from the roadside machine is stored in the memory 203 for temporary storage of the IC card 2. Therefore, if a simple IC card reader is used at the checkout office where the collector is, the roadside information can be transferred from the IC card 2. It can be read and the usage fee can be calculated based on it.

Further, since the presence of roadside information is confirmed and read when the card is installed, it is possible to determine whether the IC card 2 is newly installed or whether the IC card 2 has been removed in a service area or the like and then re-installed. The malfunction of the vehicle-mounted device due to this can be prevented. Furthermore, since the roadside information temporarily stored in the IC card 2 is discarded after the toll collection at the exit is completed, it is possible to prevent the fraudulent act of reusing the temporarily stored information.

Further, according to the present embodiment, even if the IC card 2 is removed from the vehicle-mounted communication unit 1 before the vehicle exits the exit after passing through the toll road entrance, the IC
By reading the roadside information held by the card 2 by the charge adjustment device 3, it is possible to automatically calculate the use charge and collect the charge without relying on the user's declaration. Further, since the charge can be collected from the IC card 2, it is possible to make a payment without requiring cash even at the manned toll booth.

The IC card interface 201 of the IC card 2, the IC card interface 105 of the vehicle-mounted device 1, and the IC card interface 301 of the charge settlement device 3 are provided with a wireless communication means capable of bidirectional communication, The card 2 may be used as a non-contact type IC card.

Further, the present invention is applicable not only to the IC guard but to any card type storage medium that can realize the functions shown in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if the card-type recording information medium required for toll collection passes through the on-road machine at the exit with the on-board device removed, a simple device for collecting the toll by the collector without using the on-road machine Can be done at.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing configurations of an in-vehicle device and an IC card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charge settlement device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the charge settlement device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 In-vehicle device 2 IC card 3 charge adjustment device 101 antenna 102 Road-to-vehicle communication device 103 Main controller 104 main memory 105, 201, 301 IC card interface 202 card controller 203 temporary storage memory 303 controller

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-4-111088 (JP, A) JP-A-6-274723 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G07B 15/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A communication means for communicating with an on-road machine of a toll road, a memory, a control means, and a card type storage medium for storing vehicle side information can be detachably mounted and the card type storage medium can be attached. An interface capable of transmitting information between the roadside equipment, the control means receives roadside information transmitted from the roadside device via the communication means and stores the roadside information in the memory, and the card-type storage device. In a vehicle-mounted device used in an automatic toll collection system for toll roads, which has a function of transmitting the vehicle-side information stored in a medium to the roadside device through the communication unit, the control unit stores in the memory. The stored roadside information is transferred to and stored in the card-type storage medium each time communication with the roadside device is completed, and when the card-type storage medium is once removed and then reattached, The roadside information stored in the de-type storage medium, the vehicle-mounted device used in the automatic toll collection system of the toll road, characterized in that to be stored in the memory. 2. A communication means for communicating with an on-road machine on a toll road, a memory, a control means, and a card type storage medium for storing vehicle side information can be detachably mounted, and the card type storage medium can be attached. An interface capable of transmitting information between the roadside equipment, the control means receives roadside information transmitted from the roadside device via the communication means and stores the roadside information in the memory, and the card-type storage device. In a vehicle-mounted device used in an automatic toll collection system for toll roads, which has a function of transmitting the vehicle-side information stored in a medium to the roadside device through the communication unit, the control unit stores in the memory. At least the roadside information relating to the entrance of the toll road among the stored roadside information is transferred to and stored in the card type storage medium every time communication with the roadside device is completed, and the card type storage is performed. When the body is once removed and then reattached, at least roadside information regarding the entrance of the toll road of the roadside information stored in the card-type storage medium is stored in the memory. An in-vehicle device used in an automatic toll collection system. 3. A communication means for communicating with an on-road machine of a toll road, a memory, a control means, and a card type storage medium for storing vehicle side information can be removably attached and the card type storage medium can be attached. An interface capable of transmitting information between the roadside equipment, the control means receives roadside information transmitted from the roadside device via the communication means and stores the roadside information in the memory, and the card-type storage device. In a vehicle-mounted device used in an automatic toll collection system for toll roads, which has a function of transmitting the vehicle-side information stored in a medium to the roadside device through the communication unit, the control unit stores in the memory. Of the stored roadside information, at least roadside information relating to the entrance and check barrier of the toll road is transferred to the card-type storage medium for storage every time communication with the roadside machine is completed. When the card type storage medium is once removed and then reattached, at least the roadside information regarding the entrance and check barrier of the toll road of the roadside information stored in the card type storage medium is stored in the memory. An in-vehicle device used in an automatic toll collection system for toll roads.